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A Drama in Three Acts [h 



SAMUEL R. ADAMS 






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A Drama in Three Acts 

— BY— 

SAMUEL R, ADAMS 




Price, 



25 Cents 



Copyrighted b}' Samuel R. Adams 
No. 3935 Ivocust Street . 
Philadelphia, Pa. 



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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS, to wit : 

Be it retnembered, That on the twenty -fourth day of 
May, 1906, Samuel R. Adams of Philadelphia, Pa., 
hath deposited in this office the title of a Dramatic 
Compositon, the title of which is in the following words, 
to wit : 

"Ittiifr % Qlnlora" 

the rights whereof he claims as author and proprietor 
in conformity with the laws of the United States re- 
specting Copyrights. 

Herbert Putnam, 

Librarian of Congress. 

Thorwald Solberg, 

Register of Coy rights. 

Office of the Register of Copyrights, 
Washington, D. C. 



Sy traDRfAr 

AUG u 190, 



TMP92-008542 



UNDER THE COLORS. 



Act I. — Scene i, Exterior of Barracks. Place, 
Island of Negriots. Time, Afternoon. 
Scene 2, Zaidee's Hacienda near a Tagalog 
village. Time, Evening. 

Act II. — Defending the Stockade. Time, Mid- 
night. 

Act III. — Division Headquarters Island of Luzon 



Time. — A. D. 1900. 
Place. — Phillipine Islands. 



ACT I. 

Scene I. 

(Lt. Douglass and Grant seated as though carrying 

on a conversation.) 

Grant. Your story interests me very much, Lieu- 
tenant, and almost makes me wish I had been a sol- 
dier instead of a news vending newsy old war corre- 
spondent. 

Lt. Douglass. You would change your mind once 
you were in the army, for it's a dog's life on begin- 
ning, but once you've tasted of its delicate and none 
too digestible flavor, nothing else seems to suit your 
palate. 

Grant. But you have no right to complain, fortune 
has been kind to you. Yoii're second in command in 
your company, with the full confidence of your com- 
mander, and the good will of your men. 

Lt. Douglass. Through your spectacles all seems 
plain sailing, but an officer has more to disturb his 
peace of mind than his superiors' distrust with the en- 
mity of his men thrown in. 

Grant. Perhaps so, in some cases. 

Lt. DbUGLASS. In' all cases, and more especially 
mine. 



4 UNDER THE COLORS. 

Grant. Why so, Lieutenant? 

Lt. Dougu^ss. Well, in the first place, there is the 
woman, and the next the other man. 

Grant. Ha, ha ! You don't mean to tell me you've 
lost your heart to one of these half-breed matichia 
girls, do you? 

Lt. Douglass. It's quite true, and the worst of it is. 
she loves another man, and will have none of me. 

Grant. Well, I say, old chap, you're to be congratu- 
lated to have him take her ofif your hands, for they 
are too handy with that little sticker of theirs for mine. 
Who might the unlucky dog be? 

Lt. Douglass. My first sergeant. 

Grant. Nbt Grayson Brown? 

Lt. DbuGLASs. The same. But, I tell you, Grant, 
it's no jesting matter, for I really love the girl, and if it 
wasn't for this fellow Brown, I believe §he would re- 
turn my love. 

Grant. That shouldn't weary you in the least ; 
you're his commander, why not make him surrender 
voluntarily ? 

Lt. Douglass. You don't know Brown as I do, or 
else you'd think differently. 

Grant. Well, may be an in grate fishia will cut short 
his career some day, and there is always the code of 
honor left to fall back upon, when all else fails. 

Lt. Douglass. It's no use. He seems to bear a 
charmed life. I've known men tO' be shot down by 
his side time and time again, and yet he escaped un- 
scathed. 

Grant. Well, there is still the other remedy ; make 
him fight you a duel. 

Lt. Douglass. I'm not quite ready yet to try con- 
clusions with the best shot in the command, and be- 
sides we manage things dififerentlv out here. 

Grant. In what wav? Explain yourself. 

Lt. Douglass. Well, T don't like to talk too much 
before a war correspondent, because some day I may 
regret it. 

Grant. Right you are, old bov, for the Tribune is 
just itching to get hold of something out of the ordi- 
nary. But have no fear of me ; let's have your plan 
of action. 

Lt. Douglass. Well, suppose for instance. Sergeant 
Brown should be ordered to search for arms and am- 



UNDER THE COLORS. 5 

munition that did not exist on the premises of the wo- 
man he loves. He, of course, would find nothing, and 
suppose in the meantime I should contrive to have 
those ammunitions of war placed there after he'd re- 
ported, and not taking his word make a search myself. 
Now, what do you think would happen? 

Grant. Why, he'd be court-martialed for neglect 
of duty. 

Lt. Douglass. Precisely so ! His career would be 
ruined, which would end in disgrace and perhaps dis- 
charge from the service, while I'd be left a clear field 
to woo and win my lady at leisure. 

Grant. But what of the woman? Would not she 
be considered guilty of aiding her countrymen? 

Lt. Douglass. That's easily arranged. We can not 
make war on women, and besides I, as commander of 
this prc'vince, have full charge, and my word is law. 
You can guess the rest. 

Grant. You may be right. Lieutenant, but I can't 
see it that way, and it's too great a wrong to be per- 
petrated upon a brave and innocent man. 

Lt. Douglass. It's the t'.'de of war, old man. As 
the saying goes, "All is fair is love and war." Come, 
have another smile. Guasimas ! Guasimas. 

GuASiMAS. Here I is, Lieutenant. 

Lt. Douglass. Another bottle for Mr. Grant and 
myself. 

Guasimas. Right yer be, LFeutenant. 

Grant. That boy seems to be rather an odd char- 
acter. How came you to have him with you ? 

Lt. Douglass. Guasimas is quite a soldier, having 
followed the regiment all the way from Tampa, at the 
outbreak of the war, being wounded at Las Guasimas, 
while holding one of the general's horses, so we nick- 
named him "Guasimas." I'll ask him to tell you his 
story. 

Grant. Do so, bv all means. Another hero for the 
Tribune to publish. 

Guasimas. Here you is. Lieutenant. It's jes' ripe 
enough to oil yer palate all ther way down. 

Lt. Douglass. Good boy, Guasimas. Here, take 
that and buy some cigarettes. 

Guasimas. Thank yer, boss. You bet I will. 

Lt. Douglass. Stay a moment, and tell Mr. Grant 
about your fight in Cuba. 



6 UNDER THE COLORS. 

GuASiMAS. Well, it twre'nt much fightin' I done. 
Cos' dem Spanii'ards didn't give me no chance. I'se 
jes standin' dere in Cuby holdin' der Gineral's hoss 
when one of dem greasers ups and pops me. 

Grant and Douglass (iji unison) : Ha, ha, ha! 

GuASiMAs. Bvit dat weren't all, Gineral Young and 
I gits sick, and hafter stay on board der transport while 
der boys did ther fiteing, but I ain't got no cause to 
grumble, and you kin bet when I goes to war agin I 
takes me a razzer. {Exits.) 

AjRANT. Ha, ha, ha! The Tribune will get that 
story by the first transport out. 

Lt. Douglass. Brave boy, Guasimas is, and the men 
just dote on him. 

Grant. Quite Hkely ! And now I must be off. I've 
dispensed quite freely of your hospiitality, and wish 
you success in your love affair. 

Lt. Douglass. Thank you. Grant. I wish you also 
luck, but be careful and don't let no Irrogates behead 
you. 

Grant. Trust me for that. This old dog never 
fails to bark. {Exits.) 

{Enter Orderly.) 

Orderly. Sergeant Brown has returned, sir, and 
wishes to make a report. 

Lt. Douglass. Show Sergeant Brown in. 
{Enter Brozvn.) 

Lt. Douglass. Well, Sergeant? 

Serg. Brown. I've obeyed your orders, sir, and find 
nothing that would indicate Senorita Zaidee as being 
in league with the enemy. 

Lt. Douglass. Are you sure. Sergeant? For you 
must remember, she's a Tagalog, and although they 
are friendly now, since Aguinaldo has been captured, 
yet there is no telling when they may break out again. 

Serg. Brown. Quite sure. Lieutenant. I would 
stake my life on her fidelity. 

Lt. Douglass. It is well, and I hope we'll have no 
cause to be deceived in her. You may go. {Exits.) 

Lt. Douglass. And so, my fine fellow! you would 
stake your life on her fidelity. Well, perhaps you may 
and that soon. {Exits.) 

{Enter Zaidee, accompanied by the boys.) 

Corp. D^xon. Come on, no>w. Zaidee, give us a song. 
Don't be selfish. 



UNDER THE COLORS. 7 

Boys. Yes, sing for us, Zaidee. 

Zaidee. No, not now, boys. Wait some otlier time. 

Corp. Dixon. Oh ! come on now ; you ain't going 
back on old comrades, are you ? 

Zaidee. Well, I sing just one, and no more. (Sings.) 
{Boys applaud.) 

Boys. Bravo, Zaidee ! Three cheers for Senorita 
Zaidee ! Hurrah ! hurrah ! hurrah ! 

Zaidee. Now, that will do, boys, and here's some 
cigaros for you, and take this (throivs tlicm a coin) 
and drink to my health. (After a hilarious outbreak 
they exit.) 

{Enter Serg. Brown, zvho appears not to notice 
Zaidee.) 

Zaidee. (scoldingly) Well, Sergeant, are you going 
to stand there and dream all day. 

Serg. Brown. Ah, pardon me, Zaidee, but I was 
just thinking. 

Zaidee. And pray, what may you have been think- 
ing about? 

Serg. Brown. I was thinking how long it would be 
before my enlistment expired, so I could then take my 
own little girl to my home across the sea. 

Zaidee. You have forgot what you did this morn- 
ing. 

Serg. Brown. Don't blame me, Zaidee. Rather 
blame those that sent me ; you know all the time I 
never suspected you. 

Zaidee. Yet you searched my house just the same. 
Why did you do it? 

Serg. Brown. There ! Don't talk like that, little 
girl ; you almost make a traitor of me. 

Zaidee. I wish I could. Then we'd win some vic- 
tories, mot having you tO' fight against. 

Serg. Brown. Zaidee ! Surely you don't mean that 
I'm a traitor. Never! 

Zaidee. No, no! I take it all back, Senor ; of course 
I don't mean it. But will you really take me home 
with you? 

Serg. Brown. You know I would, Zaidee. Already 
there awaits in a little vine-covered cottage in old Vir- 
ginia a fond and loving mother waiting tO' greet her 
long lost son and new found daughter. I've told her 
all, sweetheart. 

Zaidee. Ah, Senor ! How happy you make me ; but 



8 UNDER THE COLORS. 

if you should forget. 

Serg. Brown. There is nothing, love, for me tO' for- 
get, save that I love you and you alone, and without 
you life is empty, and when you go out of it my wish 
is that I may soon follow. 

Zaidee. But, Senor, in your country I be as nothing 
to them who knew you first. 

Serg. Brown. Zaidee, my country-women would do 
well to learn from you the sweet simplicity and love- 
able nature bred only in the child of sunshine, who 
lives its short life amid the flowers and rippling brooks 
of God's own handiwork, and learns from them a les- 
son of Innocence and DiVlne Purity enough to tame 
the beastly nature of the wildest of men. 

Zaidee. I believe you, Senor, for none ever talked 
like that to me before, and I trust you. You are all I 
have to love me, and life with you will be sweet to me, 
though I be nothing but a simple savage girl, yet I 
love you. 

Serg. Brown. Ah ! Zaidee, a queen would be glad 
to possess your beauty and sweet simplicity ; but en- 
ough of that. Let us think of the future. My term 
of enlistment will soon be over, and I have no doubt 
that I can retire with a lieutenant's commission. Al- 
ready my name has been mentioned in special orders 
with a recommendation for bravery and much hard 
service, and when I have won my honors, no more of 
this life, but home to mother with my own little Zaidee. 
(Embraces her.) 

(Re-enter Lt. Douglass.) 

Lt. Douglass. Well, Sergeant! Is that the way 
ycu do your duty ? Back to your post, sir. (Sergeant 
salutes and retires.) 

Lt. Douglass. Howdy, Zaidee. What ! won't shake 
hands with me? Now, don't be a cruel girl. 

Zaidee. Why do you wish to throw yourself upon 
me? You must know ere this how much I hate you. 

Lt. Douglass. Your hate means just so much love 
to me. Why do you insist upon it when you see how 
madly I love you? 

Zaidee. Don't speak of your love to me. Lieutenant 
Douglass, for I have told you time and time again I 
could never love such as you. 

Lt. Douglass. But, look what I have to offer, name, 
honor and position, with a heart full of love to over- 



UNDER THE COLORS. g 

riowmg. Ah, Zaidee, your very beauty n:iaddens me. 
Say the word, g.rl, say the word. (Tries to embrace 
her.) 

Zaidee. Don't touch me, monster, or I might for- 
get myself. 

Lt. Douglass. I know why you don't love me. It's 
because of that dog Brown — nothmg but a pauper. 
\ou are just throwmg yourself awav on a man who 
will desert you at the first opportunity. 

Zaidee. Lieutenant Douglass, I know this pauper, 
as you call him, and a braver and truer man never 
lived, and I also know your kind. You come here and 
steal away the virtue and purity of us poor savage 
girls, as yoii call us, and then sail' proudly to your own 
country as honored gentlemen ; but I for one refuse 
to be your mistress, and I'd rather share poverty with 
Grayson Brown than to be dishonored by you. 

Lt. Douglass. You lie. It is mot true; but take 
your lover as you will. I'll find a way, my proud lady, 
to bring you imploring at my feet for mercv. I'm mas- 
ter here, and my subjects must obey. 

Zaidee. Have a care, Lieutenant, or you might 
awake the savage nature that's in me, for we matichio 
girls know how to avenge our wrongs. Harm Gray- 
son Brown if you will, and this (snafches dagger) will 
find its home in your bosom. So, beware ! 

Lt. Douglass. Those half-breed savages are the 
very devil limself. But she shall be mine if I have to 
do murder to make her so. 

(Enter one of the Guards.) 
Guard, (saluting) Lieutenant! 
Lt. Douglass. Well, what is it? 
Guard. A Negriots warrior has been captured on 
the outpost, sir. 

Lt. Douglass. Go bring him here. (Exit Guard 
and returns unth prisoner.) 

Lt. Douglass. You may leave now, and if I want 
you I'll call. (Guard salutes and exits.) 

Lt. Douglass, (to prisoner) What brought vou in 
our line? 

Jose. I hungry, Senor. I starve. Me no fight; 
warriors drive me out. 

Lt. Douglass. I believe you lie. 

Jose. .No, no, Senor ; me speak true, me hungry. 

Lt. Douglass. If I thought you were trying to'de- 



lO UNDER THE COLORS. 

ceive me, I'd shoot you like a dog. 

Jose. Mercy, Senor, mercy, i be dog for you. 

Lt. Douglass. Well, get up and go to the mess 
room. {He rises and starts out.) Stop a moment. 
(Aside) I might use that fellow. I'll give you your 
liberty on one condition. 

Jose, (falling on knees) Name it, Senor; name it. 
I so hungry. 

Lt. Douglass. Does your tribe still hate the Taga- 
logs? 

Jose, (getting up excitedly) Caramba ! I hate! I 
kill them ! Tell me, Senor, quickly ! 

L.T. Douglass, (aside) Seems as though I've struck 
the right chord this time. (Aloud) Know you where 
the Senoirita Zaidee's hacienda is? 

Jose. Zaidee ! Si, si, Senor, si. I bin dere. Me hate 
her, too. 

Lt. Douglass. Well, what I want you to do is this : 
Contrive to place in a hidden spot at her hacienda some 
arms and ammunition, which you must take from the 
quartermaster's stores, without anyone seeing you. 
Do you understand ? 

Jose. Si, Senor, si. 

Lt. Douglass. No' one must know of it, and mind 
you don't play me false, or this (producing gun) will 
send you to kingdom come. 

Jose. Ah ! Senor, you no kill me. 

Lt. Douglass. Well, you do as I tell you, and all 
will be well. 

Jose. I go, Senor. I do' it, I so hungry. 

Lt. Douglass, (writes and gives Jose paper) This 
friendly Negriot (to Jose) what's your name? 

Jose. Jose, Senor. 

Lt. Douglass. Jose is free to come and go in and 
out the lines at all times. Signed, Douglass, Com- 
mander Negriots Province. 

Lt. Douglass. Now, take this and be gone. No — 
not that way, but this way (he exits). The first move, 
and I hold the pawn. If Jose accomplishes his mission, 
Sergeant Brown will be ruined, and then the fair 
Zaidee will be in' my power. Ha ! ha ! ha ! W^hat a 
victory ! 

(Curtain.) 



UNDER THE COLORS. II 



ACT 11. 



Scene I. 

(Enter Jose, -who secretly hides arms and ammunition 

under porch and then exits.) 

{Enter Mother Carmenata.) 

Carmenata. Here it is night fall, and that g-irl 
Zaidee hasn't returned yet. Always pestering after 
them Yankee p-gs. Caramba! how I hate them. If 
that white livered Aggy hadn't been' fool enough to be 
captured, we'd bin fighting yet. Oh! If I was only a 
man, I'd show them a thing or two. Zaidee! Zaidee! 
{Enter Zaidee.) 

Zaidee. Here I am, mother. 

■Carmenat.\. Where in the world have you been all 
this time? 

Zaidee. Just been out for a stroll. Is it late? 

Carmenata. Late! Well, I should say so, and I 
jest bet that stroll of yours led straight to them Yan- 
kee pigs' pen. 

Zaidee. O'h, don't talk like that. Mother. They all 
ain't alike. 1 nere are some good ones among them. 

Carmenata. Yes, just good enough to break your 
heart in two. Carmenata knows what she's talking 
about. 

Zaidee. But, Mother, you said no longer than yes- 
terday that you liked him.. 

Carmenata. Well, who in the name of thunder is 
this him you're talking about? 

Zaidee. Why, Senor Grayscn. 

Carmenata. Ah, the lovely Senor; but, tell me, 
Zaidee, do you think he loves you and means well ? 

Zaidee. Why, of course he does. He couldn't do a 
wrong to any one. 

Carmenata. Now, be careful, Zaidee, because you 
know what happened in the village. There is no one 
now to look after you but me since we left our people, 
and even now I fear Aggy might become naughty 
some day and cause trouble. 

Zaidee. Don't fear for me. Mother, and besides, 
^SSY ^s well looked after. 



T2 UNDER THE COLORS. 

Carmenata. Don't be too sure of that, for if ever 
those Negriots should go on the war path, he might 
in the confusicii give them the shp. But tell me how 
do you know this soldier man loves you? 

Zaidee. Why, every girl knows that. No longer 
than yesterday he took my hand in his and said, 
"Zaidee. before I met you I was a wild ogre, thirsting 
for blood, and thought of nothing but how I might 
kill and slay the foe, but to-day, I wouldn't harm my 
worst enemy. You, child, have made me like a saint," 
and he gazed so deeply in my eyes and looked so lov- 
ing like. There, Mother, I can't tell you any more. 

Carmenata. Saint like, hey? Well, the ogre soon 
returned when he came here searching our hacienda 
this morning. 

Zaidee. He had to obey orders. 

Carmenata. Orders be blowed ! Why didn't he 
refuse? 

Zaidee. Then I would consider him a poor soldier 
that didn't do his duty. I must go and eat supper, for 
I'm nearly starved. {Exits.) 

Carmenata. Well, I guess the girl is right. Now, 
why don't some feller love me like that? Here I am, 
sweet sixteen, and have never been kissed — and I ex- 
pect I'll die of joy if I get one. I do believe if scnne 
lovely, handsome young man would make love to me, 
I'd kiss him. 

{Enter Grant.) 

Grant. Did you have reference to me, Senora? 

Carmenata. {frii^hteued) Caramba ! and how did 
you get here? 

Grant. Why, I just walked here. Am I in time? 

Carmenata. Begone ! I want no dealings with 
Yankee pigs. An vant, sir. 

Gtant. Didn't you just say you was looking for a 
lovely handsome man ? 

Carmenata. And do you call yourself handsome? 

Grant. Why not? I'm as good as they generally 
run, and may be somewhat better. 

Larmenata. But you're Yankee, Senor. 

Grant. What has that to do with it? I'm not a 
soldier. If a gun was fired, I'd run. 

Carmenata. Then what you do here, Senor? 

Grant. I represent the onlv reliable right-on-the- 
spot article, the Philadelphia Tribune. 



UNDER THE COLORS. I3 

Carmenata. Is that g-ood to eat? 

Grant. Oh, no ! You don't understand me. Why, 
that's what people read. I write the news telHng all 
about the wars, send it by cable, they print it with a 
great big macnine. iNiow, do you see? 

Gvrmenata. And is that a little machine what you 
print with ? 

Grant. Why, no! This is a camera. I take pic- 
tures with it. 

Carmenata. And do' they read the pictures, too? 

Grant. They can't read pictures ; they are only too 
look at. 

Carmenata. Oh ! Senor, open it and let me look at 
one. 

Grant. You can't see them ; they have to be taken 
first. Come sit down, let me take yours. (Places 
cauhcra on table and sits douni beside her.) 
(Zaidee enters.) 

Zaidee. Why, Mr. Grant! {Both jump up.) 

Carmenata. Oh, come, Senor, and let's have them 
taken inside. (Exits.) 

(Signal from Brown.) 

Serg. Brown. Cuckoo, cuckoo. 

Zaidee. (answering same) Cuckoo. 

Serg. Brown, (emerging) Ah, Zaidee, did you think 
I wasn't coming? 

Zaidee. You've been aw^ay a long time, Senor. I 
grew weary waiting for you. 

Serg. Brown. I know, little girl, but you don't real- 
ize how hard it is for me to get even a moment's lei- 
sure. Seemis as though Douglass makes my lot harder 
and harder every day. Yet one moment with you re- 
pays it all. 

Zaidee. Ah, Senor, it's because of me. I see it all. 

Serg. Brown. So I think, Zaidee. He wishes to 
make me resign, so he can ruin you, like he has done 
a score of others ; but let hiin take care, for he might 
go too far. 

Zaidee. Now, don't be rash, Grayson, for if any- 
thing happened to you at would break my heart. 

Serg. Brown. You are right, little one ; even his 
brutality shall not stand between me and the woman 
I love. But it will soon be over. There, there ; don't 
be sad hearted. 



14 UNDER THE COLORS. 

Zaidee. It's all right now,, but look, see what I've 
piade for you. {^Presenting a token.) 

Serg. Brown. This for me? 

Zaidee. Yes, all for you, and you must wear it in 
every battle and think of your Zaidee, praying for you 
at home. 

Serg. Brown. That I will, for no knight errant ever 
donned a brighter color from his lady love than this. 
{Enter Lt. Douglass with a guard, placing Brown 
under arrest.) 

Lt. Douglass. Sergeant Brown, consider yourself 
under arrest. 

Serg. Brown. Lieutenant! What does this mean? 

Lt. Douglass. It means that I arrest you for ne- 
glecting your duty. You have failed to report arms 
and ammunition hidden on these premises. 

Serg. Brown. It is false! Before God I speak the 
truth. 

Lt. Douglass. We'll soon see. Jose, come here. 
Where did you see those guns hidden? 

Jose. There, Senor, under the porch. 

Lt. Douglass. ]\Iake a search, Quartermaster Holi- 
day. {He searches and finds them.) 

Quartermaster Holiday. It's true. Lieutenant, and 
the very arms that were stolen from the stores about 
two hours ago. 

Lt. Douglass. And, so, my fine Sergeant, I've 
caught you at last. 

Serg. Brown. Lieutenant, this is treachery ; I know 
notjhing about them. Even Zaidee knows I speak 
the truth. 

Lt. Dougl-^ss. Ah. bosh ! Do you think I'd believe 
either of you? Why, of course your mistress would 
tell any lie to shield you. 

Serg. Brown. Take that back (starts to reach for 
hi'- gun. but is disarmed.) 

Lt. Douglass. So, trying to make a little gun-play, 
hey? Well, you won't try much longer, for I'll have 
you court-martialled and shot down like a dog. Guard 
him close. 

(Enter Dick Woodson, e.vcitcdly.) 

Dick W^oodson. Lieutenant, the Xegriots warriors 
are massing a thousand strong and intend to charge 
the stockade at midnight, so there is no time to lose. 
(Jose makes his escape and joins his tribe.) 



UNDER THE COLORS. 75 

Lt. Douglass. Guns and cannons! Is this true? 

Dick Woodson. Without a doubt. I've just cut 
through their runners in order to get here and warn 
you in time. 

Lt. Douglass. Fall in, men; we must get back to 
camp in double-quick time. Come with us, Woodson. 

Dick Woodson. Impossible. I must reach Troop 
I's headquarters in an hour's time, in order to send up 
a reHef to support you, so I'm off. (Exits.) 

Lt. Douglass. Get ready, men. Grant, you take 
charge of the prisoner, and follow on soom as possible, 
and if he attempts to escape, shoot him down like a 
dog. Forward! we are on to victory! (Exits.) 

Serg. Brown. Speak, Zaidee, and tell me you knew 
naught of this. 

Zaidee. Grayson, I swear to you by the Virgin 
Mother, I knew nothing until now. 

Serg. Brown, (half doubtingly refuses to speak). 

Zaidee. Do not doubt. Senior; do not doubt me. If 
you believe me guilty, kill me. (Falls on knees im- 
ploringly. ) 

Serg. Brown. I do believe you. No matter how it 
seems, but this disgrace is more than I can bear. Think 
of it, Zaidee, think of it. 

Zaidee. It's hard, Senor, but I too suffer. 

Serg. Brown. I care not so much for myself, but 
to think the boys will be fighting unto death, and I 
powerless to help them. Already I see a huddled mass 
of brown demons charging the outworks, and the boys 
whom I love anid led in battle falling and dying, while 
I — ^a prisoiner. Horrible ! horrible ! 

(Carmenata makes a hasty exit.) 

Zaidee. No. Senor, it shall not be. I'll ride to my 
people, the friendly Tagalogs, and bring assistance. I'll 
do' it or die in the attempt. 

Grant. Bully for you. 

Serg. Brown. God bless you, Zaidee, and ma}^ you 
succeed. 

Zaidee. Good-bye, Grayson, and if I fail, remember 
I did my duty. At midnight I'll be there. (Exits.) 

(Brown bozvs his head in anguish.) 

Grant. Come, brace up, old chap; it might have 
been worse. 

(Curtain.) 



lO UNDER THE COLORS. 

Scene II. 

Lt, Douglass. Cease firing, men, and rest a spell, 
for it'll be an all-night siege. Those brown devils are 
fighting like demons, and our only salvation is that 
Gatling gun. If we could but man that we could hold 
out till morning, or till help came. 

Corporal Dixon. Then why not try it, Lieutenant? 

Lt. Douglass. I wish I could, but the only man 
capable of firing that gun i,s a prisoner. 
{Enter Grant.) 

vjRANt. Lieutenant, Sergeant Brown begs to be pa- 
roled and allowed to take part in the fighting. 

Lt. Douglass. Impossible. He's a disgraced rene- 
gade, and such a maiii is not wanted here. 

Grant. Now, Douglass, don't be a fool. Give the 
man a fighting chance. 

/r. Douglass. N'o, it's useless to argue. It cannot 
be. 

Corporal Dixon. Lieuteniant, hear me a moment. 
Brown is my friend, and as such I speak for him. He 
has followed you throughout all this campaign, and 
stuck by you like a brother, and the boys all love him. 
He'd share the last crust of bread with his comrades. 
I've known him to give his last drop of water to cool 
tiie parchmg tongue of a fever-stricken pal. Now, 
don't let your personal animosity stand between you 
and duty, by depriving us of cur leader. Give him a 
show. 

The Boys. Yes, Lieutenant, give him a show. 

Lt. Douglass. You are right, boys ; he shall have a 
chance. Grant, release him. 

Serg. Brown. Lieutenant, how can I thank you? 

Lt. Douglass. Say nothing of it, Brown, but prom- 
ise you'll not break your parole and wiill fight like a 
man. 

Serg. £>rown. I swear it. 

Lt. DbUGLASs. Then take your post and give it to 
them thick and fast. Back to your guns, boys. Fire 
away. 

{.After five minutes' firing. Zaidee is sighted bringing 
relief. ) 

Corporal Dixon. They retreated. Zaidee has come 
with the Tagalogs. {Opens barricade and lets thou 
in.) 

Zaidee. {in the lead carryr'ng U. S. Flag) Grayson! 
(Falls into his arms.) 

Serg. Brown, (clasping her to Jiini) Zaidee! 

■ . {Curtain.) 



UNDER THE COLORS. 1/ 



ACT III. 



Scene I. 

(Captain Young seated until a censored nezcspaf^er 
dispatch in his hand.) 

Capt. Young. I wonder what can be the meaning 
of this ? A censored war d.'spatch addressed to the As- 
sociated Press, returned with the signet of disapproval. 
X iiey seem to be getting mighty parbxular of late, lest 
the outside world shcadd know too much of our doings 
here. But what is this? (Opens and reads dispatch.) 
Surely there can be no truth im that, for I don't be- 
lieve there is a man in my whole command could be 
guilty of such calumny. Til leave the matter rest until 
Douglass' arrival, and perhaps he can throw some light 
on the matter. {Proceeds to write.) 

{The dismount call is sounded.) 

Capt. Young. Ah! there's Douglass now. {Enter 
Orderly, saluting.) 

O'RDERLY. Sir, Lieutenant Douglass has arrived 
with the first detachment, be'ng relieved by Company 
Fs detachment. 

Capt. Young. Tell Lieutenant Douglass I am ready 
to receive his report. 

(Orderly salutes and retires.) 
{Enter Douglass.) 

Lt. Douglass. Sir, I wish to report all well, casu- 
alties none, and one prisoner for neglect of duty. 

Capt. Young. I am glad to hear such a good report, 
Lieutenant, but sorry to know you have a disgraced 
man within your ranks. His name? 

Lt. Douglass. Grayson Brown, my first sergeant. 

Capt. Young. Impossible ! 

Lt. Douglass. T regret to say it's only too true. He 
was ordered to search the premises of a Tagalog girl 
living apart from her people outside of our lines, who 
was suspected of aiding her people by receiving arms 
and ammunitions conveyed from the coast by Aguin- 
aldo's agents, and in turn given over tO' the insurgents. 
He failed to report the same. 



l8 UNDER THE COLORS. 

Capt. Young. Lieutenant, this is a very serious of- 
fense, and needs to be investigated. Let the prisoner 
be brought in. 

Lt. Dougl.\ss. Orderly, tell the guard to bring in 
Sergeant Brown. 

{Enter Brown li'ith Guard, Zaidee folloziAng.) 

Capt. Young. Sergeant Brown, I find you charged 
with neglect oif dutv. What defence have vou to of- 
fer? 

Serg. Brown. Sli'r, I have none to offer, save to say 
I'm innocent, and wish to be tried at once. 

Capt. Young. You shall have a fair trial, anl I only 
hope that such a brave soldier as you have been proved 
to be, may be able to prove your innocence. 

Z.\iDEE. Senor Captain, allow me tO' speak a word 
in his defence. If he is guilty I am also guilty, for it 
was at my hacienda the gims were found. 

Capt. Young. And so you are the girl, hey? Well, 
no wonder a brave man fell from grace ; but this mat- 
ter needs deep investigation, and I will have to keep 
you both under strict guard until thoroughly settled. 

Lt. DbUGLASS. Captain, I wish to speak a word in 
Senorita's favor. It was through her bringing the 
friendly Tagalogs to our assistance that we were able 
io beat back the Negriots' attack until I's detachment 
arrived. 

Capt. Young. That's one point in your favor, Se- 
norita, and shall be duly recognized. But tell me, 
Douglass, do' you know anything about this dispatch, 
as to its origination? {Shozmng him dispatch.) 

Lt. Douglass. (looking amazed) No, Captain, I do 
not. 

Capt. Young. That wiill also have tO' be investigated. 
{Enter Orderly.) 

Orderly. Sir, Scout Woodson has arrived with dis- 
patches and a wounded Negriots warrior. 

Capt. Young. Show Scout Woodsoin in. 

{Enter Woodson.) 
Woodson. Sir, I've just arrived from the Governor- 
General's headquarters with these dispatches, and on 
my way picked up a wounded warrior, who begged me 
not to kill him, but bring h'm here, as he had infor- 
mation of importance to convey to y<m, and so he is 
outside in charge of the guard. 



UNDER THE COLORS. I9 

Capt. Young. Go bring him in, Orderly. 
{Enter Jose with Guard.) 

Lt. j_jouglass. {under his breath) Why, it's Jose. 

Jose. Give me drink; I thirsty — I dying. (Guard 
gives hint drink.) 

Capt. Young. I understand that you wish to speak 
to me. What is it you have to say ? No one wiU hurt 
\ou. 

Jose. Senor Captain, me heep bad man — me dying 
— me tell all. 

Capt. Young. Well, speak on; I'm listening. 

Jose. Me great warrior. My tribe say attack stock- 
ade. Need warrior to spy on Yankee jxg. I go show 
how great warrior — Yankee pig capture me — I go be- 
fore Senor Lieutenant dere — him say he kill me. I 
lie like devil. Tell him me hungry, me peaceful ; no 
tight for warriors ; dey drive me out, me die for hun- 
ger. Senor, him say he give me liberty, eat plenty, 
drink plenty, if I do for him — {stops and gasps). 

Capt. Young. Go on Jose. What did he want you 
t(. do? 

Jose. Him {gasps for breath) Him tell me steal 
guns and fire Hash ; hide em on Zaidee place, cose I 
tell him I hate Tagalog. He make search — heap men 
finds guns, and say Sergeant him put em there. Me 
done tole all. 

Lt. Douglass, {springing totvard Jose) You lie! 

Capt. Young. Disarm him and make him a prisoner. 

Lt. D'ouglass. Captain, surely you don't believe 
such a tale as that? 

Capt. Young. I believe every word of it ; for a dy- 
ing man cannot lie, and besides Sergeant Brown I be- 
lieve to be too brave a man to be guilty of such infamy. 

Serg. Brown. I thank yO'U, Captain. 

Captain Young. Brown. I was about to do you a 
great wrong, but I thank God light has come to me at 
last. 

Jose. I soeak true, Senor Captain, and now I die 
happy. {Dies.) 

Capt. Yoi'NG. He is dead ; remove him. I guess 
I'll now find out something about that censored dis- 
patch. 

(Enter Grant.) 

Grant. I can answer for that. 

Capt. Young. And who are vou? 



20 UNDER THE COLORS. 

Grant. War correspondent, sir, for the Philadel- 
phia Tribune, and that dispatch had reference to a con- 
versation between Lieutenant Douglass and myself 
relative to liis love for Senorita Zaidee, and how Ser- 
geant Brown stood in, his way, and as to means he 
intended to employ to have Brown disgraced and dis- 
charged from the service. That, sir, is the truth, and 
nothng but the truth. 

Lt. Douglass, (to Grant) You traitor! 

Capt. Young. And I believe lit ; so there is nothing 
left undone to prove your infamous doings. Lieutenant 
Douglass, and I shall grant you a speedy trial. (Look- 
ing over dispatches hr ought by Woodson.) Sergeant 
Brown, it gives me great pleasure to set you at liberty 
and place in your hands these papers, commissioning 
you as First Lieutenant, v^Xh. rank and pay for the 
same from date of issue, and I appoint you second in 
command of this company until further orders. 

The Boys. Hip, hip, hurrah ! 

Serg. jdrown. Words cannot express my feelings, 
Captain, but I hope to better prove my heart-felt hap- 
piness by always doing my duty as a brave soldier 
should. 

Capt. Young. I've no doubt of it, and as for your 
Senorita, I find guilty of a much more serious offence, 
that of stealing away the love and affection of one 
whose only sweetheart was the flag under which he 
fought, and so I'll have to impose on you the full 
mandate of human nature's law, that of solitary con- 
finement in a state of matrimony with Lieutenant 
Brown as your keeper. Do you accept? 

Zaidee. {going to Brown and taking his hand) 
With all my heart. 

Capt. Young. And. boys, I think this will interest 
us all (reading dispatch) : Tro^p C. Ninth Calvary, 
Island of Luzon, is hereby ordered to report at once 
to General Headquarters, prior to being relieved from 
further duty, with instructions to set sail for the States 
and report at Resfimiental Headquarters, Fort Robin- 
son. Nebraska. (Signed) Root. Sec. of War. 

The Boys. Hip. bin. hurrah ! hurrah ! hurrah ! 

Capt. Young. We'll go back. boys, with the full 
assurance that we did our duty here, wdiile fighting 
Lender the Colors. 
(Curtain.) 



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